Suspended Particulate Matter in an Office and Laser
Smoke Particles in an Operating Room
KUNCHITTHAPE TANPOWPONG, M.D.*,
WILAIWAN KOYTONG, M.S. (Environmental Science)**
Affiliation : * Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty ofMecicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400,
** Environmental Health Center Region One, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000,
Thailand.
AbstractSuspended particulate matter in an office and laser smoke particles in a laser operative
room of the Otolaryngology Department, Ramathibodi Hospital were compared. Suspended parti
culate matter sizes of PM15, PMlO and PM2.5 were selected due to their impact on health. The
amount and sizes of the particles were measured by a laser diode portable dust monitor. The mean
and standard deviation were measured every hour for 6 periods and calculated by specific computer
software. The amount of suspended particulate matters in the office were within the accepted safety
level. The amount of suspended particulate matter including laser smoke particles in the operative
room before, during and after each laser evaporative procedure was much higher than that of the
office. The amount of suspended particulate matter was dangerous for all personnel in the opera
tive room. Risk management for patients in the operative room should be stressed. The ventilation
system of the operative room will be assessed further.
Keywords : Suspended Particulate Matter, Laser Smoke Particle, Operative Room, Office Room,
Laser Diode Portable Dust Monitor
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